Biotech firm opens its first office at innovation centre

Rinri Therapeutics Ltd, which develops advanced cell therapies for hearing loss, has announced its recent move to UKSE’s Innovation Centre located in Sheffield city centre.

It means the biotechnology company has committed to a physical office location for the first time, with the 470 sq ft office providing links to the University of Sheffield.

UKSE’s Innovation Centre is already host to a number of tech start-up companies and businesses, providing facilities including 24-hour access, serviced reception, high-speed broadband and CCTV operations.

Rinri Therapeutics has recently taken on Dr Terri Gaskell as chief technology officer from the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, secured Nick Higgins as an independent board chairman adding to his roles as deputy chairman of the Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult and chairman of Avvinity Therapeutics, a private company focused on immuno-oncology.

The firm will also soon welcome Dr Faizah Mushtaq, a clinically qualified audiologist, as a clinical manager on a secondment from QMC, Nottingham.

Dr Simon Chandler, CEO at Rinri Therapeutics, said: “This is an exciting time for us to be locating to a new headquarters so that we can accelerate our research towards clinical trials.

“The proximity of the site to the university was one of the main attractions of the Innovation Centre, as we currently outsource a lot of research activity to progress the development of our therapies.

“The next 12 months are absolutely critical as we look to secure funding which will take us through pre-clinical development to clinical trials.

“It’s incredibly helpful to have a physical workplace to enable the team to work together to enable the exciting progression which this next year holds.”

Alan Stanley, regional executive at UKSE, said: “It’s great to see Rinri Therapeutics choose the Innovation Centre as their new base.

“Sheffield is host to fantastic, innovative researchers in the biotechnology field, and the Innovation Centre provides excellent transport links and facilities to accommodate this type of work.

“We have worked hard in recent months to ensure the Innovation Centre remains a safe working environment, carrying out thorough risk assessments in accordance with the latest Government regulations.”